Ex-Red Bull boss Christian Horner lauds Kimi Antonelli.
Christian Horner has been fascinated by Kimi Antonelli’s improvement since his rookie season in Formula 1. The former Red Bull team principal also spoke about what he hopes to see from the Mercedes driver in 2027 and beyond. The comments were published by Motorsport.com in a video clip from the Autosport Business Exchange in New York, where Horner appeared in a relaxed, conversational setting.
His words arrive at a moment when Antonelli is one of the defining stories of the 2026 season. Little more than a year after his debut campaign, the Italian has moved from promising newcomer to a driver at the heart of the championship conversation. Few voices carry as much weight on driver development as that of a man who ran a front-running Formula 1 team for many years.
Horner Impressed by Antonelli’s Progress
According to Motorsport.com, Horner has been fascinated by the improvement Antonelli has made since his rookie season. Horner is not simply praising results on a Sunday afternoon. He is looking at the trajectory, meaning how far a young driver has developed between his first and second years in the sport.
Rookie seasons in Formula 1 are usually defined by adaptation. A new driver has to learn the car, the tyres, the circuits and the constant pressure of a global spotlight, often while making mistakes in public. The step from that first year to the second is where teams and rivals tend to see what a driver is really made of. Horner’s interest suggests he sees a clear and meaningful step forward in Antonelli.
Motorsport.com reports that Horner also spoke about what he hopes to see in 2027 and beyond. That framing points to a long-term view of Antonelli as a figure who could shape the sport for years, rather than a one-season story. Horner has previously said he is looking forward to seeing Antonelli take on Max Verstappen in future seasons, a matchup many fans would also like to see.
“He Seems to Have His Feet on the Ground”
One line from the clip stands out. In the captioned video, Horner says: “And you know, he seems to have his feet on the ground.” It is a short remark, but it speaks to something beyond lap times.
Antonelli was born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna, which makes him just 20 years old. He arrived at Mercedes as the driver replacing Lewis Hamilton, and he took on that responsibility at an age when most drivers are still working their way up the junior categories. Staying composed through early setbacks, rapid success and heavy media attention is a quality that team principals tend to value highly.
Coming from Horner, the comment carries extra weight. Describing Antonelli as grounded is a notable compliment from a man who has spent years judging drivers at the highest level of the sport. That kind of mindset often separates drivers who fade after one strong year from those who build lasting careers in Formula 1.
Antonelli’s 2026 Season in Context
The backdrop to Horner’s praise is a strong season for Antonelli and for Mercedes. Reports during the year have shown Mercedes leading the constructors’ standings, with Antonelli at the top of the drivers’ standings after winning eight races at one stage. He has taken victories in Monaco and Belgium, and his sixth win of the season in Belgium extended his lead in the championship at that point.
The title fight has also been an internal one. Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell have been engaged in a close battle, and a team radio exchange between them during the Canadian Grand Prix drew attention to how tense that contest can become. For a driver in only his second season, handling a championship fight against an experienced teammate is a significant test of both speed and temperament.
Horner’s Role Away From Red Bull
Horner’s perspective is that of an outsider looking in. Red Bull dismissed him after the 2025 British Grand Prix, and Laurent Mekies succeeded him as team principal. Since then, Horner has appeared at events and in media settings, offering opinions on the sport he helped shape for so long.
He has also been linked in reports with a possible return to Formula 1, which keeps his comments under close watch. Any remarks from a figure who could yet re-enter the paddock are read as more than casual conversation. In this case, though, his message is a straightforward one: he admires the progress Antonelli has made and wants to see it continue.
What 2027 Could Mean for Antonelli
Horner’s reference to 2027 and beyond highlights the question that follows every breakthrough season: what comes next? Improvement from a rookie year to a second year is one thing. Sustaining it, adding consistency and learning to win championships is a harder task. The drivers who become long-term champions are usually those who keep developing after their first big wins.
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Antonelli’s early signs are positive. He has shown speed, he has won races, and a respected figure in the paddock has described him as level-headed. Those are the foundations a team can build around. Mercedes will hope the progress Horner noticed continues, while rivals will be watching closely to see whether the Italian can turn a standout season into a lasting run at the front.
For now, the message from Horner is clear. A man who has seen many drivers rise and fall is paying close attention to Kimi Antonelli, and he likes what he sees. Whether that attention turns into a rivalry with Verstappen in the years ahead is one of the more intriguing questions heading into 2027.
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